# BBC: World News & Stories — user reviews > 2,152 indexed App Store user reviews of BBC by BBC Studios Distribution Ltd., rated 4.50/5 from 85,924 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bbc-world-news-and-stories/id364147881/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bbc-world-news-and-stories/id364147881.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 64,289 · 4★ 11,583 · 3★ 2,872 · 2★ 1,740 · 1★ 5,440 ## What do users think of BBC? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 🗞️ Excellent news coverage - 🌍 Global perspective on news - 🗓️ Timely updates **Cons** - 🔍 Lack of customization options - 📢 Intrusive advertising - 🐛 Buggy performance and crashes - 🔙 Frustrating navigation (e.g., returning to top of list) - 🤖 Perceived bias in news reporting **Commonly reported bugs** - Scrolling issues and content shifting - Video playback problems - Frequent crashes and freezes **Most requested features** - Ability to customize news topics and sources - Option to pay for ad-free experience - Improved stability and responsiveness - Enhanced navigation and bookmarking features ## Newest reviews (18 of 2,152) ### 1/5 — Subscriptions?? *2026-08-17, version 2026.7.0* I had this app for years and used it everyday for news, now with the update I have to subscribe for monthly fee to read the news??? I live in Canada, since when do we pay for news? ### 1/5 — They just went Pay-to-View. *2026-08-16, version 2026.7.0* Aaaaand delete. ### 3/5 — Fell off the bicycle *2026-08-14, version 2026.7.0* I have long loved this app. Recently the app developers let it get screwed up. When I merely want to watch a video with sound full-screen the Skip Ad button fails to function, then the sound will not come on, then it skips to the next random video. After I attempt it 4 times, maybe my video will play. The user experience has become a shambles. Sigh! ### 3/5 — No Streaming to TV option *2026-08-12, version 2026.7.0* I bought a month of the BBC subscription service to see how it was. Sadly, it does not have a way to airplay on my Samsung TV. I don’t know if Samsung or the BBC handles this, but if I can't view the content on the TV, I will be a canceling the subscription. ### 1/5 — Overpriced *2026-08-12, version 2026.6.0* Used to be free now it’s more than $70 a year! ### 1/5 — Paywall *2026-08-11, version 2026.6.0* In these days of disinformation and misinformation, putting real in depth factual news behind a paywall will only make things worse, very disappointing from the BBC ### 1/5 — Subscription Con *2026-08-10, version 2026.6.0* For years the BBC has been my go to for news. I used to love this app but now with the subscription cost, I have uninstalled this app and moved to another. ### 1/5 — Lousy *2026-08-09, version 2026.6.0* Just started posting new stories that if you click on them, you have to pay extra to read it. You can count me out just I deleted BBC news. ### 2/5 — USELESS *2026-08-09, version 2026.6.0* … unless you PAY. You still can see the tittles but that’s it. I have deleted it after many years of using it. ### 1/5 — Subscription based app *2026-08-07, version 2026.6.0* I have used the BBC app to keep up to date with news around the world for a long time now, however now that everything is locked behind a paywall I unfortunately will be deleting the app. ### 1/5 — Sneaky free/pay change *2026-08-07, version 2026.6.0* Who’s boardroom brain f4rt of an idea was it to require a paid for subscription to access basic news feeds? You lost my eyes….and eyes = add revenue. ### 1/5 — Frustrated by new Monthly subscription *2026-08-07, version 2026.6.0* As a Canadian I generally get my news from CBC, that said, I also like news provided by the BBC. Was surprised and frustrated with the new subscription model. ### 1/5 — Shame on you BBC *2026-08-07, version 2026.6.0* Im English but I live abroad…I always use the bbc website to get news on England, particularly sports but I also like their world coverage which is generally well written and non partisan. Now however, its all behind a pay wall and I can’t read any of that news unless I’m willing to pay, which I’m not. So I’ll be going elsewhere. Shame ### 1/5 — Pay to read delete *2026-08-05, version 2026.6.0* Pay to read news deled app ### 1/5 — Ruined by obnoxious ads and login requirements *2026-08-04, version 2026.6.0* It’s even worse than before with forced login prompts. The app now bombards us with obnoxious ads that cannot be skipped or (critically) even muted. They override the no sound setting on your phone! This is unacceptable and I will be deleting the app and going back to using the web version with a robust ad blocker. I suggest you do the same. Shame on BBC! ### 1/5 — Typical of the BBC *2026-08-04, version 2026.6.0* Absolutely abhorrent app. It's truly pointless having it and there is no way in paying to read the news, no matter who you are, even as left wing and woke as the BBC is now,it will never happen. Save yourself some time, uninstall the app and find much better news resources ### 1/5 — Disappointing *2026-08-03, version 2026.6.0* As a Brit living abroad it’s so disappointing that I now have to pay to use this app. I can’t even read the news on the internet from the BBC as that too, requires a subscription. Unless you want to subscribe I wouldn’t recommend downloading this app. ### 1/5 — Oversees access *2026-08-03, version 2026.6.0* After emigrating to Canada, I used to use the app daily to keep up to date with UK news….however - recently it requires a subscription. Why would the app be free in the UK, when you can access news from many outlets and not available oversees (free) for expats to stay informed. VERY DISAPPOINTING ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Subscription Based *2026-08-23, version 2026.7.0* They started charging. Unreal. Why does everything in life cost $14.99 a month now? ### 1/5 — Wtf? *2026-08-23, version 2026.7.0* Used to be able to read the news here. (With ads) now it’s pay or you can’t read so I’m done. ### 1/5 — Sadly it’s not free anymore *2026-08-23, version 2026.7.0* It’s very unfortunate that BBC decided to implement paid subscription for their US readers. I had to look elsewhere for reliable news source. Luckily, GroundNews is free. ### 1/5 — content vs crash *2026-08-22, version 2026.7.0* excellent content, but unreadable because of repeated crashes ### 1/5 — Goodbye *2026-08-22, version 2026.7.0* You have to pay a subscription now? No thank you. Goodbye BBC news. ### 1/5 — Subscription now compulsory *2026-08-22, version 2026.7.0* Used this app for years; now deleted since it enforces sign-up to a subscription service to view articles. On principle I will not sign up to read news I can readily get elsewhere for free. ### 1/5 — Cheap Trick *2026-08-22, version 2026.7.0* After years of service you now want me to subscribe. Sorry but my money is best spent elsewhere. Most disappointing ### 1/5 — I’m not mad, just Disappointed *2026-08-21, version 2026.7.0* I always believed BBC was better than the money grabbing tyrants of the United States but they’ve proven to be just that. Countless years I’ve been using BBC as a trusted news source in this age of misinformation. But in the summer of 2026 they’ve implemented a subscription service for Canadians and I’m appalled. So much for “Free Press”. If you’re looking to subscribe to a news outlet I highly recommend Ground News. They’re amazing when it comes to filtering news articles around the world to give the most accurate information. ### 1/5 — Have to pay to read now *2026-08-20, version 2026.7.0* For the first time in the decades I’ve used this app, it asked me to pay. The BBC gets funded by the British government and they want to double-dip by having people pay a subscription. It isn’t worth it as the quality of the stories and writing are not worth paying for; there is a political bias when you read certain articles which is unprofessional. And now they want me to pay for these bias outlooks? Nope. ### 1/5 — Subscription Required *2026-08-19, version 2026.7.0* This was my go to news app for international news for a long time, but now every article I click on requires a subscription which is unfortunate. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — BBC punishes Canadian listeners *2026-08-22, version 2026.7.0* It’s completely unfair that Canadians must pay to listen to the BBC but not Australians, the French, other Europeans and listeners around the world. Americans too must pay but not as much as Canadians when currency is converted. Why does the BBC punish Canadians? ### 5/5 — Paywall Appears Gone *2026-08-10, version 2026.6.0* Excellent journalism. Thank you for removing the paywall for Canadians. ### 5/5 — Payment *2026-07-29, version 2026.6.0* I paid for the year on June 29th of this year. But you have cut off my access to in depth news stories. Please get in touch. Normajody@hot mail.ca ### 5/5 — Noticias del mundo en español *2026-07-21, version 2026.6.0* Mi primera fuente de información cada día. ### 5/5 — Centrism *2026-06-29, version 2026.5.0* Generally balanced news, with occasional lapses. ### 5/5 — Tr *2026-06-29, version 2026.5.0* It’s a completely free news app. Nothing to complain. ### 5/5 — BBBC *2026-06-29, version 2026.5.0* Best BBC! ### 5/5 — Review: *2026-06-29, version 2026.5.0* BBC has always been my past, present & hopefully future reliable source for latest world news. ### 5/5 — BBC *2026-06-28, version 2026.5.0* International news quicker than US news. ### 5/5 — Good *2026-06-28, version 2026.5.0* Good --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-28.*